(Mumble)core values shine through in cool 'Baghead'

by
Mike Scott, Movie writer, The Times-Picayune

Thursday September 25, 2008, 5:00 PM

The indie film 'Baghead' was directed by Jay and Mark Duplass, who grew up in the New Orleans area.

As indie film movements go, "mumblecore" is still a fairly youthful one, and as such it can be difficult to pin down a hard-and-fast definition. One looking for a good example, however, need look no further than "Baghead, " opening Friday (Sept. 26).

The latest lo-fi offering from Jay and Mark Duplass -- former New Orleanians who prepped at Jesuit High School -- has all the hallmarks of the genre.

It was shot on a shoestring and on digital video rather than film, and it shows. The story arc of "Baghead" was scripted, so the film is not as plotless as other mumblecore offerings, but the mostly improvised dialogue among its young actors is typical of the genre. All of that, along with fidgety camerawork and a shifting focus, lends the film (and the genre) a do-it-yourself vibe, recalling the 1999 indie gold mine "The Blair Witch Project."

Steve Zissis, another New Orelans product, in a scene from 'Baghead.'

BAGHEAD

2.5 stars, out of 4

Plot: Four aspiring filmmakers embark on a brainstorming retreat to a remote cabin, where they are harassed by a mysterious figure with a paper bag over his head.

What works: Directors Jay and Mark Duplass, from New Orleans, create some genuine suspense, along with a few good laughs.

That documentary-like naturalism might be a bit much for some viewers, but "Baghead" is still an intriguing film, as the Duplass brothers construct genuine suspense as they toy with their audience's expectations.

The story focuses on four aspiring filmmakers on a brainstorming retreat to a remote cabin. Once there, they're tormented by a mysterious figure wearing a paper bag over his head.

The idea was born of the Duplasses' enduring Saints fandom and the inherent contradiction they saw in a Superdome full of bagheads, a sight they describe as funny but also scary, especially for a child. So their film ends up being a little bit of a lot of things, with a touch of comedy, horror and romance. The Duplasses also take the opportunity to playfully lampoon the whole indie scene.

Steve Zissis, another New Orleanian and a former fixture on the local stage, brings a puppy-dog quality to the role of Chad, who makes it easy to become emotionally invested in his longing for cabin-mate Michelle.

Particularly moving is a mostly wordless sunset scene at a swimming hole, where it becomes abundantly clear to Chad that Michelle just isn't that into him.

Michelle is played by Greta Gerwig, who is at the opposite end of the scale from Zissis here. Despite her engaging smile and her status as something of a mumblecore muse, her sleepy, slurry delivery in "Baghead" is more annoying than charming.

The Duplass brothers say "Baghead" is about desperation, and the lengths people will go to find success. Any such message, however, is fairly well buried.

More than anything else, it's little more than a cool story. But in this case, that's enough.